Chollerton St Giles

The Church of St. Giles, consists of chancel, nave, aisles, south porch and a tower, heightened by the addition of a belfry stage, containing two bells, only one of which is currently ringable.

It was last restored in 1875, as much as possible of the ancient structure being retained. The unsightly modern windows were removed and replaced by others in the later Early English style: all the windows in the nave and chancel are stained. One hundred people can be sat comfortably in church.In the nave are Roman pillars that support the south side of the main roof. It is thought the pillars were removed from either the Corbridge or Chesters Roman sites. We hope they do not ever want them back! The church is Grade 1 listed. The stable and hearse house is Grade 2 listed and the memorial stone to John Saint south of the church in the churchyard is Grade 2 listed.

The war memorial across the road from the church is also Grade 2 listed.

We have two bells in the tower. The (lower) bell which is only tolled for services was made by John Taylor & Co. of Loughborough in 1910. It is hung in a modern design metal frame with all appropriate fittings for full circle ringing in the traditional English fashion. The weight is twelve hundredweight, three quarters and seventeen pounds. A second, smaller bell is located in the upper part of the spirelet. This bell was made by Thomas Mears of the Whitechapel bell foundry of London in the year 1791. We are told the bell has quite a nice tone although it cannot be rung at the moment because its fixings are very unsafe. It is hoped that repair work to the fixings and frame will be undertaken this year which will leave us with two toll-able bells.

Fewer than 30 people inhabit the village now although in Victorian times it is said over 5000 people lived here.

The Morning Office is said in this church at 8.30am each day except Tuesday and Sunday.

Our worship

Worship takes place every other Sunday at 10.30am. We pride ourselves with our welcome. Normally our services are Church of England Rite One Holy Communion, with hymns from Hymns Old and New and last about an hour.If you normally receive holy communion when you go to church you are welcome to receive it here too and that applies to people of all ages. We do not prepare children for communion before confirmation here but respect the needs and expectations of those children who have been prepared. For children who simply come for a blessing the Vicar offers a chocolate button to each.We have four or five hymns accompanied by a Father Smith organ, a sermon of about 10 minutes duration, a time of prayer and afterwards have tea and coffee with home bakes.Children and families are positively welcome at our services and there is a creche with quiet toys for them and their adults to play with as well as a small vestry group that meets for creative activities based on the theme of the day. The things the children have done are usually shown to the rest of the congregation after communion towards the end of the service. Our church has a disabled access toilet. Access to the church with wheelchairs requires the assistance of a carer. There is a small step by the road as you enter the churchyard and a very small 'lip' into the porch. It is not possible for people in wheelchairs to come to the altar rail for Communion (there are two steps) but the Vicar will bring it to you in the nave should you wish.We do not have a sound system, but the Vicar has a strong voice! Dogs with well-behaved owners are positively welcome to our services.We have a selection of cards and holding crosses to buy as well as a new church guide.